Buddhist Affairs Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera has officially requested President Maithripala Sirisena to release Galagodaaththe Gnansara Thera who is currently serving 6-year imprisonment. 

The Minister, in a letter, has requested the President to grant the Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Gnanasara Thera a Presidential pardon. 

He has also forwarded a string of letters, written by senior Buddhist monks, seeking relief for Gnanasara Thera who was jailed last year for contempt of court. 

Gnanasara Thera for convicted for threatening Sandhya Ekneligoda, the wife of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, inside the Homagama Magistrate's Court premises. 

President Sirisena's allies have already stated that President Sirisena will release Gnanasara Thera on February 04.

SLFP MP Shantha Bandara, an ally of Sirisena, yesterday confirmed to the media that the President would release Gnansara Thera on a special pardon on the Independence Day.